DIY vs Contractor for home renovations

It is important to note that it is not impossible for the average do-it-yourselfer to renovate a home. There are many things that an individual can do on their own if they work with enough diligence, have the right tools, and are knowledgeable in how buildings are constructed. Many people refrain from doing any sort of renovations on their homes because they think that there are just too many complicated tasks involved, and while this may be true in some cases, it's important to consider all the aspects of the renovation before deciding on what to do. Starting the project on your own is a sure way to save some money, but this can also lead to much more stress and even more headaches further down the road. Hiring a contractor is a more expensive option but one that is sometimes necessary in order to get the job done. Contractors and do-it-yourselfers can both renovate a home but each will have their own pros and cons, so it's important to decide what you'd be willing to take on during the process.

DIY Pros:

Ownership of work

Many people get pleasure out of doing projects themselves because they feel like they actually own the work that was done. There is also a sense of accomplishment attached to completing a task at hand. Many times, there might be something that needs to be refinished or repaired and without having all use of the proper tools and knowledge, it may seem impossible or impractical for someone else to complete it instead. People who like working with their hands will find that doing this type of work can be satisfying and also cost much less than hiring a contractor.

DIY Cons:

Lack of knowledge

Do-it-yourself projects generally require more effort because you are lacking the knowledge to complete them, which means that mistakes could be made along the way. These mistakes can lead to further issues down the road, especially if it's unknown what was actually done wrong by the person who is now fixing it themselves. If there are any complications with wiring or plumbing, these types of problems should always be left to professionals in order to ensure safety measures are being met. If another contractor has to come in later on after things have been messed up by an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer, it will be very costly and time-consuming to fix.

Time and effort required

There is a lot that goes into the planning of do-it-yourself projects simply because there is no one to guide you along the way or tell you what needs to be done next. The amount of research involved before starting such a project can also take up a considerable amount of time as well as learning how to properly use the tools needed during renovations. As any serious do-it-yourselfer knows, it requires more than just watching some tutorials on YouTube and then getting started right away. There may even be multiple trips made to stores for supplies and this too takes up valuable time that could easily be allocated towards completing more work by using a contractor.

Contractors Pros:

Guaranteed results

When using a contractor, people feel much more confident in completing their projects thoroughly knowing that any mistakes made by novices will be avoided since the contractors are trained to handle these types of tasks with ease. Some jobs can't simply be described over texts or phone calls, which is where having an expert available becomes extremely helpful. When you hire a contractor, they can work directly with your neighbors who hired them as well so everything runs smoothly and gets done quickly. This allows everyone involved to move on from one project to the next until all renovations have been completed as desired.

No matter what type of professional services you need, it's always important that they are properly insured and licensed to perform the work. This ensures the safety of yourself and your home as well as guarantees that there won't be any mistakes made by people who aren't professionals. With contractors, you can use their websites or social media pages such as Facebook to check out what others have said about using their services in the past.

Contractors Cons:

Higher costs

Since contractors do charge a pretty penny for their work, it might not fit into everyone's budget when trying to save money on renovations with limited funds. The great thing is that some companies offer financing options so you don't have to worry about saving up until renovations can even begin after all research has been done and planning is complete.



It's clear that both have their pros and cons, which is why hiring a contractor for home renovations proves to be more beneficial in many different ways. If you want peace of mind that your project will be handled with care and finished with a professionals touch then going with a licensed and insured contractor is always a wise decision. Make sure to hire a reputable company when you choose a business to take on your project, this will ensure that your home renovations will be completed without any glitches. At Barrie Drywallers we are proud to be among the most reputable companies in the area for drywall service and renovations. Please feel free to give us a call today with any questions you may have or to get an estimate for your project.